Proximity detection of candidate companion display device in same room as primary display using infrared signaling

ABSTRACT

A candidate companion screen device is located by a primary display device as being in the same room as the primary device using IRDA, and in response ancillary content related to content being shown on the primary display device is provided to the companion screen device. The ancillary content may be provided from the Internet based on information in the content being presented on the primary display device by, e.g., providing a link to a website to the companion device.

I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The application relates generally to determining that a candidatecompanion display device is in the same room as a primary display usinginfrared signaling.

II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A computer ecosystem, or digital ecosystem, is an adaptive anddistributed socio-technical system that is characterized by itssustainability, self-organization, and scalability. Inspired byenvironmental ecosystems, which consist of biotic and abiotic componentsthat interact through nutrient cycles and energy flows, completecomputer ecosystems consist of hardware, software, and services that insome cases may be provided by one company, such as Sony. The goal ofeach computer ecosystem is to provide consumers with everything that maybe desired, at least in part services and/or software that may beexchanged via the Internet. Moreover, interconnectedness and sharingamong elements of an ecosystem, such as applications within a computingcloud, provides consumers with increased capability to organize andaccess data and presents itself as the future characteristic ofefficient integrative ecosystems.

Two general types of computer ecosystems exist: vertical and horizontalcomputer ecosystems. In the vertical approach, virtually all aspects ofthe ecosystem are owned and controlled by one company, and arespecifically designed to seamlessly interact with one another.Horizontal ecosystems, one the other hand, integrate aspects such ashardware and software that are created by other entities into oneunified ecosystem. The horizontal approach allows for greater variety ofinput from consumers and manufactures, increasing the capacity for novelinnovations and adaptations to changing demands.

An example ecosystem that is pertinent here is a home entertainmentecosystem that includes a TV and various nearby display devices such aswireless communication devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As understood herein, to pair the TV with a device in the home ecosystemfor use as a “companion” device to the TV, typically a user must selecta device from a long list of ecosystem devices, in the home and in manycases those in neighboring homes, which might have been discoveredwirelessly. Usually, it is up to the user (a human) to figure out whichdevices are in the home let alone the same room.

Present principles are directed to allowing a primary display device(PDD) such as an audio video display device (AVDD) such as a TV todiscover candidate companion screen devices (CCSD), e.g., tabletcomputers, wireless telephones, and the like that are not just presentin the home ecosystem but that also are in the same room as the PDD.This promotes intelligently selecting which one of multiple CCSDs toselect for presenting ancillary content related to primary content beingshown on the PDD, as CCSDs outside the room in which the PDD is locatedare not as useful or even desirable to show ancillary content when theuser of the outside-the-room device cannot see the PDD. The PDD can senda CCSD in the same room as the PDD a message about whether the userdesires to have ancillary data presented on the CCSD.

It should be noted that the PDD may be established by a device with arelatively small display such as a wireless tablet, if it is the deviceof focus with content that is playing. In this scenario, the CCSD may beestablished by, for example, a larger screen TV without affectingpresent principles.

Accordingly, a device includes at least one computer readable storagemedium bearing instructions executable by a processor, and at least oneprocessor configured for accessing the computer readable storage mediumto execute the instructions to configure the processor for determiningwhether a candidate companion screen device (CCSD) is within a room in abuilding in which a primary display device (PDD) is disposed. The PDD isconfigured for presenting primary content. Responsive to determiningthat the CCSD is within the room in the building in which the PDD isdisposed, the processor when executing the instructions is configuredfor causing ancillary content related to the primary content to beprovided to the CCSD for presentation of the ancillary content thereon,and/or causing a message regarding accessing ancillary content to beprovided to the CCSD for presentation of the message thereon. Theprocessor when executing the instructions is configured for determiningwhether a CCSD is within a room in a building in which the PDD isdisposed at least in part by infrared (IR) signaling.

The device can be implemented by the PDD, or by the CCSD, or by acombination thereof.

In specific examples, the processor when executing the instructions isconfigured for sending a wireless message instructing a CCSD to respondwith a response message. In some examples, the wireless message is sentusing Bluetooth and the response message is sent using IR. In otherexamples, the wireless message is sent using Wi-Fi and the responsemessage is sent using IR. In other examples, the wireless message issent using IR and the response message is sent using Bluetooth. In otherexamples, the wireless message is sent using IR and the response messageis sent using Wi-Fi. In other examples, the wireless message is sentusing IR and the response message is sent using IR.

In another aspect, a device includes at least one computer readablestorage medium bearing instructions executable by a processor and atleast one processor configured for accessing the computer readablestorage medium to execute the instructions to configure the processorfor determining whether a candidate companion screen device (CCSD)responds to a wireless message from a primary display device (PDD). ThePDD is configured for presenting primary content. Responsive todetermining that the CCSD responds to the wireless message, theprocessor when executing the instructions is configured for causingancillary content related to the primary content to be provided to theCCSD for presentation of the ancillary content thereon, and/or causing amessage regarding accessing ancillary content to be provided to the CCSDfor presentation of the message thereon. The processor when executingthe instructions is configured for determining whether a CCSD respondsto the wireless message at least in part by sending the wireless messageusing infrared (IR) signaling and/or by receiving a response from theCCSD to the wireless message over IR.

In another aspect, a device includes at least one computer readablestorage medium bearing instructions executable by a processor and atleast one processor configured for accessing the computer readablestorage medium to execute the instructions to configure the processorfor receiving, at a candidate companion screen device (CCSD), a wirelessmessage from a primary display device (PDD). The PDD is configured forpresenting primary content. Responsive to receiving the wirelessmessage, the processor when executing the instructions is configuredsending a response message to the PDD which if received by the PDDcauses ancillary content related to the primary content to be providedto the CCSD for presentation of the ancillary content thereon, and/orcauses a message regarding accessing ancillary content to be provided tothe CCSD for presentation of the message thereon. The wireless messageis infrared (IR) and/or the response message is IR.

The details of the present invention, both as to its structure andoperation, can be best understood in reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and inwhich:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system including an example inaccordance with present principles;

FIGS. 2-4 are flow charts showing example algorithms according topresent principles; and

FIGS. 5-7 are example screen shots of a companion screen deviceaccording to present principles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

This disclosure relates generally to computer ecosystems includingaspects of consumer electronics (CE) device based user information incomputer ecosystems. A system herein may include server and clientcomponents, connected over a network such that data may be exchangedbetween the client and server components. The client components mayinclude one or more computing devices including portable televisions(e.g. smart TVs, Internet-enabled TVs), portable computers such aslaptops and tablet computers, and other mobile devices including smartphones and additional examples discussed below. These client devices mayoperate with a variety of operating environments. For example, some ofthe client computers may employ, as examples, operating systems fromMicrosoft, or a Unix operating system, or operating systems produced byApple Computer or Google. These operating environments may be used toexecute one or more browsing programs, such as a browser made byMicrosoft or Google or Mozilla or other browser program that can accessweb applications hosted by the Internet servers discussed below.

Servers may include one or more processors executing instructions thatconfigure the servers to receive and transmit data over a network suchas the Internet. Or, a client and server can be connected over a localintranet or a virtual private network.

Information may be exchanged over a network between the clients andservers. To this end and for security, servers and/or clients caninclude firewalls, load balancers, temporary storages, and proxies, andother network infrastructure for reliability and security. One or moreservers may form an apparatus that implement methods of providing asecure community such as an online social website to network members.

As used herein, instructions refer to computer-implemented steps forprocessing information in the system. Instructions can be implemented insoftware, firmware or hardware and include any type of programmed stepundertaken by components of the system.

A processor may be any conventional general purpose single- ormulti-chip processor that can execute logic by means of various linessuch as address lines, data lines, and control lines and registers andshift registers.

Software modules described by way of the flow charts and user interfacesherein can include various sub-routines, procedures, etc. Withoutlimiting the disclosure, logic stated to be executed by a particularmodule can be redistributed to other software modules and/or combinedtogether in a single module and/or made available in a shareablelibrary.

Present principles described herein can be implemented as hardware,software, firmware, or combinations thereof; hence, illustrativecomponents, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are set forth in termsof their functionality.

Further to what has been alluded to above, logical blocks, modules, andcircuits described below can be implemented or performed with a generalpurpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device suchas an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), discrete gate ortransistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combinationthereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A processorcan be implemented by a controller or state machine or a combination ofcomputing devices.

The functions and methods described below, when implemented in software,can be written in an appropriate language such as but not limited to C#or C++, and can be stored on or transmitted through a computer-readablestorage medium such as a random access memory (RAM), read-only memory(ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM),compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storagesuch as digital versatile disc (DVD), magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices including removable thumb drives, etc. Aconnection may establish a computer-readable medium. Such connectionscan include, as examples, hard-wired cables including fiber optics andcoaxial wires and digital subscriber line (DSL) and twisted pair wires.Such connections may include wireless communication connectionsincluding infrared and radio.

Components included in one embodiment can be used in other embodimentsin any appropriate combination. For example, any of the variouscomponents described herein and/or depicted in the Figures may becombined, interchanged or excluded from other embodiments.

“A system having at least one of A, B, and C” (likewise “a system havingat least one of A, B, or C” and “a system having at least one of A, B,C”) includes systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and Btogether, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and Ctogether, etc.

Now specifically referring to FIG. 1, an example ecosystem 10 is shown,which may include one or more of the example devices mentioned above anddescribed further below in accordance with present principles. The firstof the example devices included in the system 10 is an example primarydisplay device, and in the embodiment shown is an audio video displaydevice (AVDD) 12 such as but not limited to an Internet-enabled TV.Thus, the AVDD 12 alternatively may be an appliance or household item,e.g. computerized Internet enabled refrigerator, washer, or dryer. TheAVDD 12 alternatively may also be a computerized Internet enabled(“smart”) telephone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a wearablecomputerized device such as e.g. computerized Internet-enabled watch, acomputerized Internet-enabled bracelet, other computerizedInternet-enabled devices, a computerized Internet-enabled music player,computerized Internet-enabled head phones, a computerizedInternet-enabled implantable device such as an implantable skin device,etc. Regardless, it is to be understood that the AVDD 12 is configuredto undertake present principles (e.g. communicate with other CE devicesto undertake present principles, execute the logic described herein, andperform any other functions and/or operations described herein).

Accordingly, to undertake such principles the AVDD 12 can be establishedby some or all of the components shown in FIG. 1. For example, the AVDD12 can include one or more displays 14 that may be implemented by a highdefinition or ultra-high definition flat screen and that may betouch-enabled for receiving user input signals via touches on thedisplay. The AVDD 12 may include one or more speakers 16 for outputtingaudio in accordance with present principles, and at least one additionalinput device 18 such as e.g. an audio receiver/microphone for e.g.entering audible commands to the AVDD 12 to control the AVDD 12. Theexample AVDD 12 may also include one or more network interfaces 20 forcommunication over at least one network 22 such as the Internet, an WAN,an LAN, etc. under control of one or more processors 24. Thus, theinterface 20 may be, without limitation, a Wi-Fi transceiver, which isan example of a wireless computer network interface. It is to beunderstood that the processor 24 controls the AVDD 12 to undertakepresent principles, including the other elements of the AVDD 12described herein such as e.g. controlling the display 14 to presentimages thereon and receiving input therefrom. Furthermore, note thenetwork interface 20 may be, e.g., a wired or wireless modem or router,or other appropriate interface such as, e.g., a wireless telephonytransceiver, or Wi-Fi transceiver as mentioned above, etc.

In addition to the foregoing, the AVDD 12 may also include one or moreinput ports 26 such as, e.g., a USB port to physically connect (e.g.using a wired connection) to another CE device and/or a headphone portto connect headphones to the AVDD 12 for presentation of audio from theAVDD 12 to a user through the headphones. The AVDD 12 may furtherinclude one or more tangible computer readable storage medium 28 such asdisk-based or solid state storage. Also in some embodiments, the AVDD 12can include a position or location receiver such as but not limited to acellphone receiver, GPS receiver and/or altimeter 30 that is configuredto e.g. receive geographic position information from at least onesatellite or cellphone tower and provide the information to theprocessor 24 and/or determine an altitude at which the AVDD 12 isdisposed in conjunction with the processor 24. However, it is to beunderstood that that another suitable position receiver other than acellphone receiver, GPS receiver and/or altimeter may be used inaccordance with present principles to e.g. determine the location of theAVDD 12 in e.g. all three dimensions.

Continuing the description of the AVDD 12, in some embodiments the AVDD12 may include one or more cameras 32 that may be, e.g., a thermalimaging camera, a digital camera such as a webcam, and/or a cameraintegrated into the AVDD 12 and controllable by the processor 24 togather pictures/images and/or video in accordance with presentprinciples. Also included on the AVDD 12 may be a Bluetooth transceiver34 and other Near Field Communication (NFC) element 36 for communicationwith other devices using Bluetooth and/or NFC technology, respectively.An example NFC element can be a radio frequency identification (RFID)element.

Further still, the AVDD 12 may include one or more auxiliary sensors 37(e.g., a motion sensor such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, cyclometer,or a magnetic sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, an optical sensor, aspeed and/or cadence sensor, a gesture sensor (e.g. for sensing gesturecommand), etc.) providing input to the processor 24. The AVDD 12 mayinclude still other sensors such as e.g. one or more climate sensors 38(e.g. barometers, humidity sensors, wind sensors, light sensors,temperature sensors, etc.) and/or one or more biometric sensors 40providing input to the processor 24. In addition to the foregoing, it isnoted that the AVDD 12 may also include an infrared (IR) transmitterand/or IR receiver and/or IR transceiver 42 such as an IR dataassociation (IRDA) device. A battery (not shown) may be provided forpowering the AVDD 12.

Still referring to FIG. 1, in addition to the AVDD 12, the system 10 mayinclude one or more other CE device types that may establish candidatecompanion screen devices for the primary display device established bythe AVDD 12. In one example, a first candidate companion screen deviceis established by a first CE device 44 while a second companion screendevice may be established by a second CE device 46 which may includesimilar components as the first CE device 44 and hence will not bediscussed in detail. In the example shown, only two CE devices 44, 46are shown as candidate companion screen devices, it being understoodthat only one candidate companion screen device or more than twocandidate companion screen devices may be used.

In the example shown, to illustrate present principles all three devices12, 44, 46 are assumed to be members of a home entertainment network ina dwelling or at least to be present in proximity to each other in alocation such as a house. However, for illustrating present principlesthe first CE device 44 is assumed to be in the same room as the AVDD 12,bounded by walls illustrated by dashed lines 48, whereas the second CEdevice 46, while not being necessarily further from the AVDD 12 as isthe first CE device 44 and in fact while potentially being closer to theAVDD 12 than is the first CE device 44, is outside the room bounded bythe walls 48.

The example non-limiting first CE device 44 may be established by anyone of the above-mentioned devices and accordingly may have one or moreof the components described below. Specifically, the first CE device 44may include one or more displays 50 that may be touch-enabled forreceiving user input signals via touches on the display. The first CEdevice 44 may include one or more speakers 52 for outputting audio inaccordance with present principles, and at least one additional inputdevice 54 such as e.g. an audio receiver/microphone for e.g. enteringaudible commands to the first CE device 44 to control the device 44. Theexample first CE device 44 may also include one or more networkinterfaces 56 for communication over the network 22 under control of oneor more CE device processors 58. Thus, the interface 56 may be, withoutlimitation, a Wi-Fi transceiver, which is an example of a wirelesscomputer network interface. It is to be understood that the processor 58controls the first CE device 44 to undertake present principles,including the other elements of the first CE device 44 described hereinsuch as e.g. controlling the display 50 to present images thereon andreceiving input therefrom. Furthermore, note the network interface 56may be, e.g., a wired or wireless modem or router, or other appropriateinterface such as, e.g., a wireless telephony transceiver, or Wi-Fitransceiver as mentioned above, etc.

In addition to the foregoing, the first CE device 44 may also includeone or more input ports 60 such as, e.g., a USB port to physicallyconnect (e.g. using a wired connection) to another CE device and/or aheadphone port to connect headphones to the first CE device 44 forpresentation of audio from the first CE device 44 to a user through theheadphones. The first CE device 44 may further include one or moretangible computer readable storage medium 62 such as disk-based or solidstate storage. Also in some embodiments, the first CE device 44 caninclude a position or location receiver such as but not limited to acellphone and/or GPS receiver and/or altimeter 64 that is configured toe.g. receive geographic position information from at least one satelliteand/or cell tower, using triangulation, and provide the information tothe CE device processor 58 and/or determine an altitude at which thefirst CE device 44 is disposed in conjunction with the CE deviceprocessor 58. However, it is to be understood that that another suitableposition receiver other than a cellphone and/or GPS receiver and/oraltimeter may be used in accordance with present principles to e.g.determine the location of the first CE device 44 in e.g. all threedimensions.

Continuing the description of the first CE device 44, in someembodiments the first CE device 44 may include one or more cameras 66that may be, e.g., a thermal imaging camera, a digital camera such as awebcam, and/or a camera integrated into the first CE device 44 andcontrollable by the CE device processor 58 to gather pictures/imagesand/or video in accordance with present principles. Also included on thefirst CE device 44 may be a Bluetooth transceiver 68 and other NearField Communication (NFC) element 70 for communication with otherdevices using Bluetooth and/or NFC technology, respectively. An exampleNFC element can be a radio frequency identification (RFID) element.

Further still, the first CE device 44 may include one or more auxiliarysensors 72 (e.g., a motion sensor such as an accelerometer, gyroscope,cyclometer, or a magnetic sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, an opticalsensor, a speed and/or cadence sensor, a gesture sensor (e.g. forsensing gesture command), etc.) providing input to the CE deviceprocessor 58. The first CE device 44 may include still other sensorssuch as e.g. one or more climate sensors 74 (e.g. barometers, humiditysensors, wind sensors, light sensors, temperature sensors, etc.) and/orone or more biometric sensors 76 providing input to the CE deviceprocessor 58. In addition to the foregoing, it is noted that in someembodiments the first CE device 44 may also include an infrared (IR)transmitter and/or IR receiver and/or IR transceiver 42 such as an IRdata association (IRDA) device. A battery (not shown) may be providedfor powering the first CE device 44. The second CE device 46 may includesome or all of the components shown for the CE device 44.

Now in reference to the afore-mentioned at least one server 80, itincludes at least one server processor 82, at least one tangiblecomputer readable storage medium 84 such as disk-based or solid statestorage, and at least one network interface 86 that, under control ofthe server processor 82, allows for communication with the other devicesof FIG. 1 over the network 22, and indeed may facilitate communicationbetween servers and client devices in accordance with presentprinciples. Note that the network interface 86 may be, e.g., a wired orwireless modem or router, Wi-Fi transceiver, or other appropriateinterface such as, e.g., a wireless telephony transceiver.

Accordingly, in some embodiments the server 80 may be an Internetserver, and may include and perform “cloud” functions such that thedevices of the system 10 may access a “cloud” environment via the server80 in example embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows overall logic according to present principles. In someexamples an event trigger may be received at block 88 to activate theensuing logic. For example, a particular actor or product or sound mayappear or program change in a broadcast channel being presented on theAVDD 12 as indicated by metadata in the program, or by recognition ofdemanded images by the AVDD processor 24, or by recognition of soundspresented on the AVDD 12 speakers 16 as detected by the microphone 18and analyzed by the processor 24 either in a standalone mode and/or byuploading the images/sounds to the cloud server 80 for analysis, whichsends the analysis results back to the AVDD 12. Or, using detectionprinciples below the AVDD 12 may recognize that a candidate companiondevice 44 or 46 has been carried into the room in which the AVDD 12 isdisposed, using such recognition as a trigger.

In any case, as set forth further below at block 90 the AVDD 12 locatescandidate companion screens that are in the same room as the AVDD 12,screening out candidate companion screens that may be nearby but outsidethe walls 48. At block 92 one or more candidate companion screens thatare detected as being in the same room as the AVDD 12 are provided withancillary feed(s) related to the program being presented on the AVDD 12by, e.g., linking the companion screen(s) to a computer site associatedwith the program being presented on the AVDD 12. This linking may entailsimply providing a network address or link from the AVDD 12 to thecompanion screen which a user can select to cause a network browser toaccess a computer network site on the home network, on the PDD itself,or on the Internet supplying the ancillary feed/content/data (usedinterchangeably), or the linking may be more automated, e.g., the AVDDmay command the companion screen device to automatically access aparticular network site and automatically commence downloading theancillary feed/content/data without any user action to accomplish this.

FIG. 3 illustrates example logic. Commencing at block 94, the PDD maysend a ping, essentially a wireless message, to candidate companionscreen devices (CCSDs) one at a time using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or acombination thereof. The wireless message is addressed to the networkaddress of each CCSD as discovered by, e.g., Bluetooth discoveryprinciples, UP-n-Up, Bonjour, or as manually input to the PDD by a user,or by other means. The wireless message contains a value instructing areceiving CCSD to respond using IR, e.g., using IRDA. The value mayinstruct a receiving CCSD to respond to the code with a specificresponse code over IR to reduce ambiguity.

Proceeding to decision diamond 96, it is determined whether the PDDreceives a response via IR to the wireless message from one or moreCCSDs, including, when requested, a correct response code. It may now beappreciated that since IR cannot pierce walls, the PDD receiving acorrect response over IR may infer that the response originator is inthe same room as the PDD and thus determine for present purposes thatthe CCSD may be a good candidate for presenting ancillary data.

Responsive to a positive test at decision diamond 96, the logic can moveto block 98. If only one CCSD causes a positive test at decision diamond96, at block 98 a message may be sent (e.g., from the PDD through theBluetooth transmitter 34, or through the NFC element 36, or throughnetwork interface 20, or through the IR element 42) to the CCSD (using,for example, the appropriate network address thereof) soliciting use ofthe CCSD as a companion screen to the PDD. An example of such a messageis shown further below. The logic of block 92 in FIG. 2 may then beemployed if the user of the solicited CCSD accepts the solicitation.

If multiple CCSDs trigger positive responses to decision diamond 96, thelogic of block 98 may be executed for each such CCSD to send the messageto each such CCSD. Or, the logic of block 98 may be executed only forone of the CCSDs transmitting the reply signal with the strongest signalstrength. Or, the logic of block 98 may be executed only for the one ofthe CCSDs with a positive test at decision diamond 96 that is of aparticular model of CE device. In this instance, for example, if both atablet computer and a mobile telephone trigger positive tests atdecision diamond 96, only the tablet computer may be sent the message atblock 98, on the ground that the tablet computer likely will have alarger display than the telephone.

In addition to the logic of block 98 or alternatively to it, at block100, for at least one CCSD triggering a positive test at decisiondiamond 96, the CCSD may be caused (as by command from the PDD) toautomatically access a particular network site (as identified, e.g., bythe PDD from metadata accompanying the primary content) and toautomatically commence downloading the ancillary feed/content/datawithout any user action to accomplish this.

FIG. 4 illustrates additional example logic. Commencing at block 102,the PDD may send a ping, essentially a wireless message, to CCSDs usingIR. The wireless message is addressed to the network address of eachCCSD as discovered by, e.g., any one of the methods described above. Thewireless message contains a value instructing a receiving CCSD torespond using IR, e.g., using IRDA, or to respond using Bluetooth orWi-Fi. The value may instruct a receiving CCSD to respond to the codewith a specific response code to reduce ambiguity.

Proceeding to decision diamond 104, it is determined whether the PDDreceives a correct response to the wireless message from one or moreCCSDs over the protocol requested, including, when requested, a correctresponse code. It may now be appreciated that since IR cannot piercewalls, the PDD receiving a correct response to its IR message requestinga response, no matter which protocol that response is sent over, mayinfer that the response originator is in the same room as the PDD andthus determine for present purposes that the CCSD may be a goodcandidate for presenting ancillary data.

Responsive to a positive test at decision diamond 104, the logic canmove to block 106. If only one CCSD causes a positive test at decisiondiamond 104, at block 106 a message may be sent (e.g., from the PDDthrough the Bluetooth transmitter 34, or through the NFC element 36, orthrough network interface 20, or through the IR element 42) to the CCSD(using, for example, the appropriate network address thereof) solicitinguse of the CCSD as a companion screen to the PDD. An example of such amessage is shown further below. The logic of block 92 in FIG. 2 may thenbe employed if the user of the solicited CCSD accepts the solicitation.

If multiple CCSDs trigger positive responses to decision diamond 104,the logic of block 106 may be executed for each such CCSD to send themessage to each such CCSD. Or, the logic of block 106 may be executedonly for one of the CCSDs transmitting the reply signal with thestrongest signal strength. Or, the logic of block 106 may be executedonly for the one of the CCSDs with a positive test at decision diamond104 that is of a particular model of CE device. In this instance, forexample, if both a tablet computer and a mobile telephone triggerpositive tests at decision diamond 104, only the tablet computer may besent the message at block 106, on the ground that the tablet computerlikely will have a larger display than the telephone.

In addition to the logic of block 106 or alternatively to it, at block108, for at least one CCSD triggering a positive test at decisiondiamond 104, the CCSD may be caused (as by command from the PDD) toautomatically access a particular network site (as identified, e.g., bythe PDD from metadata accompanying the primary content) and toautomatically commence downloading the ancillary feed/content/datawithout any user action to accomplish this.

Note that the logic of states 94, 96, 102, 104 may alternately beaccomplished by the CCSD, in which case in the event of a positive testat state 96 (or 104 as the case may be) the CCSD can send a message overan appropriate link to the PDD to the effect that the CCSD is in thesame room as the PDD and thus is poised to receive and/or presentancillary content.

FIG. 5 shows an example UI presenting an example solicitation message142 on a display 50 of a CCSD pursuant to any one of the “messagesolicitation” blocks described above. A user may select a “yes” selectorelement 144 to accept the CCSD to be a companion screen to the PDD, inwhich case the PDD may send a link to the CCSD to a computer site orbroadcast site or other site to download ancillary content or providethe ancillary content itself from data that it is receiving but notdisplaying on the primary display 14. Or, in response to selecting theselector 144 the PDD may automatically cause the CCSD to automaticallyand without user interaction begin downloading the ancillary content asdescribed above. The user can decline to have the CCSD used as acompanion device by selecting a “no” selector element 146.

FIG. 6 illustrates a UI that can be presented on a display 50 of a CCSDpursuant to any one of “automatic linking” blocks described above. Asshown, a message 148 may inform the user of the CCSD that the CCSD hasbeen selected as a companion device, and a window 150 of the display 50is used to present the ancillary content, which recall is effectedautomatically without user interaction once the CCSD signal strength hassatisfied the threshold test. A decline selector 152 may be presentedwhich when selected disconnects or otherwise disables, at leasttemporarily, the CCSD from use as a companion screen to the PDD.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example UI that can be presented on a display 50of a CCSD in a set-up mode to essentially allow the user to selectbetween the two modes embodied in FIGS. 5 and 6. A message 154 may bepresented asking the user if the user would like the CCSD to be subjectto automatic selection as a companion screen to the PDD when the CCSD isin the same room as the PDD. A yes selector 156 enables a user to selectthis feature, while a no selector 158 enables a user to declineautomatic selection of the CCSD as a companion screen.

While the particular PROXIMITY DETECTION OF CANDIDATE COMPANION DISPLAYDEVICE IN SAME. ROOM AS PRIMARY DISPLAY USING INFRARED SIGNALING isherein shown and described in detail, it is to be understood that thesubject matter which is encompassed by the present invention is limitedonly by the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: at least one computerreadable storage medium bearing instructions executable by a processor;at least one processor configured for accessing the computer readablestorage medium to execute the instructions to configure the processorfor: determining whether a candidate companion screen device (CCSD) iswithin a room in a building in which a primary display device (PDD) isdisposed, the PDD being configured for presenting primary content; andresponsive to determining that the CCSD is within the room in thebuilding in which the PDD is disposed, causing ancillary content relatedto the primary content to be provided to the CCSD for presentation ofthe ancillary content thereon, and/or causing a message regardingaccessing ancillary content to be provided to the CCSD for presentationof the message thereon, wherein the processor when executing theinstructions is configured for determining whether a CCSD is within aroom in a building in which the PDD is disposed at least in part byinfrared (IR) signaling.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device isimplemented by the PDD.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the processorwhen executing the instructions is configured for sending a wirelessmessage instructing a CCSD to respond with a response message.
 4. Thedevice of claim 3, wherein the wireless message is sent using Bluetoothand the response message is sent using IR.
 5. The device of claim 3,wherein the wireless message is sent using Wi-Fi and the responsemessage is sent using IR.
 6. The device of claim 3, wherein the wirelessmessage is sent using IR and the response message is sent usingBluetooth.
 7. The device of claim 3, wherein the wireless message issent using IR and the response message is sent using Wi-Fi.
 8. Thedevice of claim 3, wherein the wireless message is sent using IR and theresponse message is sent using IR.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein thedevice is implemented by the CCSD.
 10. A device comprising: at least onecomputer readable storage medium bearing instructions executable by aprocessor; at least one processor configured for accessing the computerreadable storage medium to execute the instructions to configure theprocessor for: determining whether a candidate companion screen device(CCSD) responds to a wireless message from a primary display device(PDD), the PDD being configured for presenting primary content; andresponsive to determining that the CCSD responds to the wirelessmessage, causing ancillary content related to the primary content to beprovided to the CCSD for presentation of the ancillary content thereon,and/or causing a message regarding accessing ancillary content to beprovided to the CCSD for presentation of the message thereon, whereinthe processor when executing the instructions is configured fordetermining whether a CCSD responds to the wireless message at least inpart by sending the wireless message using infrared (IR) signalingand/or by receiving a response from the CCSD to the wireless messageover IR.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the device is implementedby the PDD.
 12. The device of claim 10, wherein the processor whenexecuting the instructions is configured for sending the wirelessmessage, the wireless message instructing a CCSD to respond with aresponse message.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the wirelessmessage is sent using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and the response message issent using IR.
 14. The device of claim 12, wherein the wireless messageis sent using IR and the response message is sent using Bluetooth orWi-Fi.
 15. The device of claim 12, wherein the wireless message is sentusing IR and the response message is sent using IR.
 16. A devicecomprising: at least one computer readable storage medium bearinginstructions executable by a processor; at least one processorconfigured for accessing the computer readable storage medium to executethe instructions to configure the processor for: receiving at acandidate companion screen device (CCSD) a wireless message from aprimary display device (PDD), the PDD being configured for presentingprimary content; and responsive to receiving the wireless message,sending a response message to the PDD which if received by the PDDcauses ancillary content related to the primary content to be providedto the CCSD for presentation of the ancillary content thereon, and/orcauses a message regarding accessing ancillary content to be provided tothe CCSD for presentation of the message thereon, wherein the wirelessmessage is infrared (IR) and/or the response message is IR.
 17. Thedevice of claim 16, wherein the device is implemented by the CCSD. 18.The device of claim 16, wherein the wireless message is sent usingBluetooth or Wi-H and the response message is sent using IR.
 19. Thedevice of claim 16, wherein the wireless message is sent using IR andthe response message is sent using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
 20. The device ofclaim 16, wherein the wireless message is sent using IR and the responsemessage is sent using IR.